Social Enterprise News

Action to Empower is the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) campaign to empower consumers and carers in social care markets to take back control through business model innovation.

Co-operative and mutual business models can increase diversity and choice in health, community and social services in Australia with positive outcomes for accountability, innovation, quality and productivity.

The Action to Empower report is a ‘call to action’ for targeted policy measures focused on enabling different forms of ownership. The report discusses the potential contribution of co-operatives and mutuals to innovation and reforms in aged care and disability services, informed by Australian experiences and a BCCM study tour of UK mutuals.

BCCM provides advice and helps organisations, staff, clients and other stakeholders seeking to learn about, form and grow co-operatives and mutuals in health, community and social services as well as aged care. BCCM helps organisations to transition to mutual models at all stages of development.

BCCM is hosting a series of roundtable conversations, webinars and information sessions about Action to Empower. To find out more about the campaign or for advice about setting up a co-op or mutual contact Gillian Mcfee.

Find out about upcoming events and announcements about Action to Empower https://bccm.coop/campaign/social-care-mutuals/

For the past three years QSEC has been hearing from members about business insurance. Many have felt the pain of increasing premiums, activities suddenly not being supported, disputed claims or difficulty getting companies to value the impact social enterprises create. Bulk insurance solutions for social enterprise seemed hard to arrange, as many of us work in so many different areas and industries, and across different products and services. So, we got to work to try to find a nationally recognised insurance broker who could understand how important it is to support businesses who are committed to social, cultural and environmental issues through their business practice. 

That’s why we have teamed up with Aviso Broking to help your social enterprise with your business insurance needs. 

Aviso has offered to conduct a FREE insurance audit for QSEC members.  Following the audit, Aviso can also provide a competitive insurance quote for business insurance to assist you with seeking coverage for your business. As the number of members who participate increases, we will be able to consider whether bulk buying options can be investigated, which may assist with reducing the cost of insurance premiums, subject to prevailing market conditions and the circumstances of each policyholder. 

DOWNLOAD THEIR FLYER 

As an insurance broker catering to social enterprises, Aviso will identify the following matters during the free insurance audit:

Step 1: Help explain what you are currently covered for.

Step 2: Prioritise your spend to protect your business.

Step 3: Compare cover and premiums to suit your needs.

PLUS: should a member take out an insurance policy through Aviso after the free insurance audit, a percentage of your premium will be paid by Aviso to QSEC as a referral fee QSEC will use that to further increase your membership benefits!

What’s not to love? 

ENQUIRE NOW

IMPORTANT NOTICES & DISCLAIMER

No representation or warranty: QSEC Ltd does not represent or warrant the quality or reliability of any products, services, information about any products or services, or other materials displayed, purchased or obtained by you through Aviso.

No advice: QSEC Ltd does not provide any financial advice, nor is it licensed to sell or deal in insurance products.  Any of the information contained in this document is general information only and does not represent any view or opinion of QSEC Ltd.  If you require advice in relation to insurance products, please seek independent insurance or legal advice.

Commission Disclosure: As part of the arrangement with Aviso, if a member obtains an insurance product from Aviso after the free insurance audit, Aviso may pay to QSEC a referral fee calculated as a percentage (50% of the first base premium commission provided by the insurer) for each such policy, and a percentage (20% base premium commission provided by the insurer) for policy renewals through Aviso.  The referral fees and any advertising revenue collected by QSEC Ltd are used for the benefit of QSEC Ltd supporting its members and social enterprise growth in Queensland. If you would like more information on commissions please contact QSEC Ltd.  Aviso, as an insurance broker, also has obligations under financial services law to make certain disclosures to clients.  For more information, please discuss this with Aviso if/when obtaining any insurance products.

This year’s AMP Foundation Tomorrow Fund awarded $1 million in grants to amazing Australians doing great things.

Since 2014, the AMP Foundation has awarded grants to over 350 Tomorrow Makers working in fields as diverse as education, science, social innovation, the environment, medical research and more.

Funds can be used for range of activities and expenses, including equipment, study, research, salaries, promotion and travel. Whatever it takes to make a positive impact.

Congratulations to two of our shining stars in the QSEC membership! Board director Terri Waller from Sev Gen and Geoff Smith from Australian Spatial Analytics!

Great to see so many change makers on this esteemed list! Well done all.

https://www.ampstomorrowfund.com.au/tomorrow-makers/2022/

Stats and facts on the event's impact, carbon offset programme, participants' satisfaction rate, key learnings from Australia & across the globe and more.

Download: https://bit.ly/SEWF22Report

"The other thing that's really important is working together across our boundaries and differences. We're a broad based social movement and we can achieve so much from listening and learning from each other". - Richard Warner, Nundah Community Enterprises Cooperative.

The Victorian State Govt has committed $4 million to help create Australia’s first dedicated precinct at Queen Victoria Market to enable the sector to grow, innovate and create around 100 jobs.

This is a milestone moment for SENVIC and the social enterprise sector in Victoria.

QSEC is delighted to hear this news and congratulates Nick Verginis (CEO SENVIC) and the SENVIC team for this exciting development.  

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/support-beloved-cbd-bring-more-people-citys-heart

Summertime Taskforce Project Recommendations Report and the Summertime Taskforce Project — Queensland Government Response.

The Summertime Taskforce Project was undertaken by the Queensland Small Business Commissioner in 2021 to investigate ways to support outdoor business expansion. Informed by an Industry Reference Group, the Taskforce considered options to activate outdoor trade to support business growth and local place-making. The Taskforce’s findings and recommendations are set out in the Summertime Taskforce Project: Recommendations Report.

The Queensland Government Response to the recommendations includes the Queensland Outdoor Activation Plan to help local governments to simplify regulatory requirements, celebrate outdoor trade and raise awareness of available support, and boost the capability of small businesses and local governments to activate outdoor trade. The Response and Action Plan were developed in consultation with key stakeholders including industry peak bodies, local governments, and other State Government agencies.

The Action Plan aims to assist your members and stakeholders to activate outdoor areas and make the most of Queensland’s great weather and lifestyle. 

Key actions include:

• supporting local governments to apply for delegations which allow designated officers to approve a liquor licence change of boundary for outdoor trade
• working with local governments to explore the establishment of Outdoor Trade Activation Areas
• improving guidance to businesses applying for dining and roadside vending
• continuing to deliver and expand the Queensland Business Launchpad to cut red tape for business
• developing a toolkit for councils to encourage and maximise outdoor trade.

The Response and Action Plan will be implemented over a three-year period to 2025. 

For more information please visit www.desbt.qld.gov.au/small-business/strategic-documents/summertime-taskforce, or contact Karen Wharton, Director, Strategic Policy on Karen.Wharton@desbt.qld.gov.au

This year’s Ethical Enterprise Conference explores The BIG Shift and how purpose-led business, ethical enterprise and social impact organisations can harness this opportunity, fuel their purpose, learn from and amplify each other. 

Come and join our interactive gathering to build lasting connections, be inspired and gather practical tools to help you grow.

8 - 9 December 2022, Melbourne Connect, the University of Melbourne

30% Discount Code for the QSEC network to attend the conference, the discount code is, QSECEEC  (applies to every ticket including early bird and group booking, except the dinner only) 

Further Details: https://www.moralfairground.com.au/ethical-enterprise-conference-2022

Ticketing here: https://www.moralfairground.com.au/eec22-ticketing

The AASB has issued its Discussion Paper — Development of simplified accounting requirements (Tier 3 Not-for-Profit Private Sector Entities). Comments are open until 31 March 2023.

The Discussion Paper proposes developing a stand-alone accounting standard containing the accounting requirements for smaller not-for-profit private sector entities. At the same time, the Board will also consider removing the ability of not-for-profit private sector entities to prepare special purpose financial statements in the future.

To accompany and support the consultation on the Discussion Paper, the AASB has published:

·       a 12-page snapshot providing an overview of the Discussion Paper. Read the Snapshot here.

·       a recorded education session (53mins) covering the proposed Tier 3 accounting and disclosure requirements.

o   Watch the recording on our YouTube channel here

o   Access the Slide Pack to the education session here;

·       Updated Research Report 10 Legislative and Regulatory Financial Reporting Requirements to help identify the entities with financial reporting obligations under Federal and State/Territory requirements that may be affected by the Board's proposals. Read Research Report 10 here.

The consultation provides an opportunity for interested stakeholders to help shape the financial reporting framework. We encourage all not-for-profit stakeholders to get involved by:

·       completing the online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AASBTIER3NFP;

·       attending a planned virtual outreach session from October 2022 to March 2023. See registration details here;

·       making a written submission via 'Open for comment documents' here; or

·       reaching out to the AASB directly at standard@aasb.gov.au.

For more information, head to our Hot Topics page here.

·       AASB will be hosting five virtual outreach events to consult with stakeholders on the proposed Tier 3 accounting requirements on some of the key topics in the Discussion Paper.

Register your interest to attend by clicking the link to one of the sessions below:

Dates and Time	Zoom registration links
28 October 2022 [12:00pm – 1:00pm AEDT]	Click to access Zoom details
22 November 2022 [1:30pm – 2:30pm AEDT]	Click to access Zoom details
07 December 2022 [1:00pm – 2:00pm AEDT]	Click to access Zoom details
03 February 2023 [3:00pm – 4:00pm AEDT]	Click to access Zoom details
01 March 2023 [12:00pm – 1:00pm AEDT]	Click to access Zoom details

Submissions for the Jobs White Paper due 30 November 2022. Further information is available through this link.

The Employment White Paper (the White Paper) will provide a roadmap for Australia to build a bigger, better-trained and more productive workforce – to boost incomes and living standards and create more opportunities for more Australians.

The White Paper will build on the outcomes of the Jobs and Skills Summit and will have an overarching focus on the objectives of full employment and productivity growth for the benefit of all Australians, along with women’s economic participation and equality.

It will explore issues, frameworks and policy approaches relevant to the future of Australia’s labour market over the medium and long term and will take into account a diverse range of perspectives from across Australia, including from representatives of civil society, unions, employers and governments.

Applications for Social Enterprise Growth Grants (Round 1 – 2022–23) are now open.

The Social Enterprise Growth Grants program provides grants to eligible established Queensland social enterprises for capability and capacity building that supports the business to scale up or adapt.

The social enterprise must have potential within the next two years to grow the business including its social impact and increase employees.

Available funding

In 2022–23, $1.6 million will be available for Social Enterprise Growth Grants.

Funding of between $5,000 and $25,000 (excluding GST) may be provided for eligible organisations to purchase equipment and resources, or access business services, to enable them to move their social enterprise to the next stage of growth.

Applications for the Social Enterprise Growth Grants program  close at 5pm, Thursday 12 January 2023

MORE DETAILS: https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/future-skills-fund/social-enterprise-grants